Press Reviews of Champagne & Shambles
Excellent social history, sympathetically – but not
sycophantically – told. Ancestors, Dec
2006
Engrossing. The Bookseller, March 2006
Her very considerable achievement is to tell both the story of the
Arkwright family and to explain the social history which, in the
60-odd years leading up to the 1914-18 war, changed the landscape of
rural England forever. Western Daily
Press, Sept 2006
Moving and impressively-researched, a very valuable contribution to our understanding of the decline of the British ruling class in the last quarter of the nineteenth century…Catherine Beale’s particular achievement in this book is to create such a readable family history, inhabited by characters with whom we can engage in an almost novel-like way, but to rest this upon solid scholarship. The Harrovian, June 2007
She skillfully weaves into her account of the Arkwright family the consequences for all landowners [of major political turning points]…It is to the credit of Catherine Beale and her judicious selection of extracts from family letters linked by her deft prose to a thoroughly researched background that we, too, feel moved by Johnny Arkwright’s plight… The book is well indexed and has excellent footnotes. Historic House (The Historic Houses Association Magazine) Winter 2007
If you would like to buy any of Catherine's published books or journals please email: emailcbeale@gmail.com.